Federer's Parisian absence opens way for Nadal and others

The last time Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal met on clay was back in 2013 in Rome. But for all of the great storylines newly produced by the rivals in recent months, they will not have a clay-court contest in 2017.

Federer made this a certainty when he announced that he will not play in the French Open for the second consecutive year, surprising some, but not all.

The Federer decision was made with an eye to peak for Wimbledon, but it will have a ripple effect on the entire French Open bracket, improving opportunities for the rest of the top players, in particular a red-hot Nadal.

Although the King of Clay has never lost to Federer at Roland Garros (in five meetings) and leads their overall clay contests 13-2, Federer’s upgraded backhand and bolder mentality has turned the tables on their rivalry. The 35-year-0ld has won their last three matches (all on hard courts) this season.

Even with Nadal's 15-match win streak earning him titles in Monte Carlos, Barcelona and Madrid, Federer would have been the biggest threat to Nadal's hunt for a tenth Roland Garros title.

Stan Wawrinka, Roland Garros' champion in 2015, must feel better knowing he won't have another Civil War with his countryman (who has a 4-3 record against him on clay) in Paris.

World No. 1 Andy Murray has an 11-14 overall record against Federer, and won their only meeting on clay in Madrid nine very long years ago. The Scot has been struggling mightily in 2017, but Federer’s absence (announced fittingly on Murray's 30th birthday) could be a ray of light if he builds momentum in the early rounds. Murray's seeking his first Roland Garros crown.

Novak Djokovic, the defending French Open champion, likely hasn't erased the memory of losing his 43-match win streak to Federer in the 2011 French Open semifinal.

Six years later, Djokovic is reeling from firing his entire team and enduring his first career slump. He could be inspired by the impossibility of a Federer battle on clay. The two have yet to cross paths in a draw this season.

Even younger stars like Kei Nishikori, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios are better off not having to get through the hurdle of defeating the 18-time Grand Slam champion. They may want to assemble a gift package, sign a postcard and send it to the Swiss Maestro.

So in summary, everybody gains from Monday's news, except tennis fans and the tournament organizers.